#remotework

https://hrexecutive.com/remote-work-doesnt-break-company-culture-poor-measurement-does/

Enough said.

Rumors are that some companies (mostly west coast) are returning to Work From Home due to the dramatic increase in gas prices. Any local confirmation of that?

Can’t believe it’s here. Is anyone planning to skip this id--tic “mandate”?
I have been remote 13 years in this company. Now I have to go sit in a random office by myself and do the exact same thing I would do at home. Thinking of skipping and letting the cards fall as they may.

I am a remote employee and after realizing how cr-p this company is with people more than 4 years receiving the same salary even performing, and all layoffs via cold email, I decided to have 3 jobs at the same time.
I manage them pretty well and have no issues with ANY of them, including Oracle.
If Oracle lays me off, it will impact 30% of my income and not 100%.
Do I care? As much as they care about me.
Do not be stupid. Do not put all eggs in the same basket.

Hi, I don’t work at the firm anymore. I heard that phone positions only need to come to the office one week a month. I am unfamiliar with what phone rep people deal with, but I know they deal with a LOT of crazy stuff. So, salute to you guys.

That being said, assuming what I heard is true, why do phone rep people only need to go one week? What is it about their work specifically that they can go in just one week? Why not all the other positions, like software engineers? Will phone reps continue to only need to go in one week after 2027?

Thanks

This talk of going back everyday, it’s simply trying to downsize the firm. No way around that.

What if the Johnson Je-k Circle realizes this is a really painfully bad idea some time into 2027 when they’re already executing it. There’s a reason only certain places are executing this first.

Let’s say they finally make their alignments exactly how they want them to be organized. Be it making teams colocated, or whatever else they want to do. Then they realize “hey, some of these teams work better remote, and we’re impeding their ability to work”. Like software engineer teams. And then you have other positions who need an office to perform to the best of their ability.

The vast majority of us can say this is a grave mistake Abby is making. What if this is the mistake they need to make to realize that they need to go back to the old way, where there was more freedom for people who only had to go to the office for legitimately boosting work output?

If it took us all one year of doing this experiment, then for the overlords to get their ducks in a row… then the remainder of us who survive the layoffs could be allowed to work to the best of our ability, be it being remote or in the office if we need to be… then, maybe that’s what we just need to power through, if we have the ability to power through it.

It’ll be incredibly annoying of course, but, what if this is what it takes for them to let us go back to a work environment that’s accommodating to all of our individual needs?

It has been determined that the recalls are resolved of people bs ing by the water cooler too much

Story by agoh@businessinsider.com

(1) Skims cofounder Emma Grede says the downsides of working from home don't get enough attention.

(2) She said it's "so crazy" not to draw a link between remote work and growing social issues such as loneliness.

(3) "The key to a long and happy life is your close relationships," she said.

Emma Grede, a founding partner of Skims, says the real cost of working from home isn't being talked about enough.

Speaking on the "Leaders with Francine Lacqua" podcast episode released on Monday, Grede, 43, said that remote work could have broader social consequences that people are overlooking.

"Working from home is career su----e. And we only talk about the upside of working from home," Grede told podcast host Francine Lacqua.

The downsides aren't what people want to hear, but Grede says she believes the effects are already visible in everyday life.

"Think about what's happening in the world. Declining birth rates, declining marriage rates, and the loneliness epidemic. And we think that none of that is linked to the number of people that like, don't see people because they're doing Zoom calls from the living room?" Grede said.

Grede, who is also the CEO of Good American and the first Black female investor to appear on "Shark Tank," said that it's "so crazy" not to make that correlation.

"The key to a long and happy life is your close relationships," she added.

For Grede, being in the room matters from the very start of a career.

"Listen, I did a lot of unpaid internships and I did it while being somebody that didn't have a lot of money. And that was a real struggle for me," Grede said.

Despite that, she said she saw the value of those opportunities.

"It was a huge unlock for me, the ability to go into an organization and get under the hood without having any qualifications or right to really be there. I think that there have to be certain protections on it, but I'd like to lift the lid because there's so much to be learned," she said.

It's not the first time Grede has taken a hard line on workplace expectations. In May 2025, she said she considers it a red flag when job candidates ask about work-life balance during the interview process.

"Work-life balance is your problem. It isn't your employer's responsibility," Grede said.

In an April interview with The Wall Street Journal, Grede also sparked an online debate after describing herself as a "max three-hour mum" on weekends focused on creating "high-impact, core memories" with her kids.

Grede is part of a growing number of CEOs pushing back on remote work.

In May 2023, Elon Musk said he views remote work as "morally wrong," saying it's unfair for some workers to stay home while others must be physically present to do their jobs.

"It's like, really, you're going to work from home and you're going to make everyone else who made your car come work in the factory?" Musk said.

In March, JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon said that working from home simply "doesn't work" for many younger employees, who will benefit from in-person guidance from their colleagues.

"They learn by going on a sales call with you," Dimon said. "They learn by seeing you make a mistake. They learn by how you deal with the mistake."

Since mid-2025, several major companies, including JPMorgan, Amazon, and Google, have implemented return-to-office policies.

I have a dream that one day we will be judged not by a badge swipe, not by a line in a presence report, but by the work we actually do.

I have a dream that we stop pretending five days in an office equals productivity, when we’ve already proven that great work happens from anywhere. That we stop forcing people into seats just to be seen, and start trusting them to deliver.

I have a dream that effort, integrity, and contribution matter more than location. That someone doing exceptional work from home is valued more than someone simply occupying a desk.

I have a dream that we end the illusion that RTO creates culture. Because culture isn’t built by commuting, by sitting in traffic, or by joining video calls from a cubicle. Culture is built by trust, respect, and giving people the flexibility to do their best work.

I have a dream that we recognize what’s actually happening. That people are burned out, that morale is down, and that forcing five days in-office isn’t fixing it, it’s causing it.

I have a dream that we stop measuring presence and start measuring performance. That we reward results, not routines.

I have a dream that the best people aren’t pushed out because they want flexibility, and that we stop pretending five-day RTO is normal when most of the world has already moved on.

Because right now, we’re clinging to a model that’s outdated, expensive, and ineffective.

So I have a dream that we move forward. That we embrace hybrid, embrace remote work, and build a company around outcomes, not optics.

Because work isn’t a place.

And the sooner we accept that, the better off everyone will be.

Okta is at its dirty tricks again. They’re manufacturing reasons to fire employees who aren’t near an office so they can replace them with hybrid, cheaper employees. Chicken sh*t managers and Betsy Wetsy and the rest of HR are complicit. What dumpster fire of a company!

MeetingPulse is already open and the first 2 questions are about WFH. Thoughts?

I am one that was lucky enough to be in the “remote pilot”. I saw the layoff targeted remote roles away from PHK to some degree. I was told that an RTO is coming up but the date isn’t set. I assume this is to get people to leave prior to possible severance discussions when it’s official.

Who else is hearing this or is your remote role still to be intact? I am wondering if we can negotiate this or if remote is done for.

I’m in GaME.

As title says, partner has a job opportunity in a city without a pulse point. Is this even possible for me to switch remote or should just start looking for a new job? I know some people were grandfathered as remote but not counting on it. I’m a L15 (Director) if it makes a difference.

I went through the ADA accommodation process for 100% remote work, submitted medical documentation, and received written approval. After that approval, I was verbally told by business leadership that I still need to report onsite 3 days per week.

I’m now seeking written clarification from HR/Employee Relations because I’m continuing to follow the written accommodation approval unless formally told otherwise.

Just posting so others know to document everything, keep copies of approvals, and ask for any changes in writing.

Wonder if I have a case re: Billesdon vs Wells Fargo Securities, Inc.

I work in credit fraud and recently there were recent layoffs of remote employees who were amazing people to work with back on March 20. There are still some remote employees left that live about 1 to 3 hours from the office. They now want people to go in 60% of the month and I’m a remote employee that’s still standing and I am always left wondering am I next. This whole RTO has been a mess and it’s just getting worse. They even told me I should try to get into the office. No way I’m going to do that long commute with the high gas prices and I was hired as remote. With all this lay off talk I am getting to a point where I just feel they should just lay me off. My whole department struggles with low morale and if you ask a question or want help on something you get an attitude from management saying you are an advanced case processor, you should know how to do that. There is a lack of support for one another, just a negative attitude. I just keep my head down and quietly do my work. Anybody else feel like this? Always wondering if you are next? And your department struggling with low morale?

Some true RIF, some positioned as "remote roles no longer remote, take it or leave it". All areas of company affected.

I heard that they are not monitoring RTO attendance any more? Is there anyone who may be able to confirm?

Cats out of the bag boys and girls. If you’re in certain sites you’re going back 100% from September.

Does anyone know of someone fired based on their IP Address location from GlobalProtect? You always here these “threats” but has anyone actually ever been let go because they went and did a dive into the persons IP Address location that was pulled from GlobalProtect?

They’re closing the HUB closest to my home. Is this happening in other areas too? I wonder if it’s because employees weren’t showing up.

I’ve been applying at centene for years, probably going back to 2019. What’s it take to get an interview? I’ve never even been contacted by a recruiter after having referrals. Are remote job openings on the company site legit?

Seems pretty obvious that the tech center in ATL is going to be shut down this round. But what about other remote roles in GT? Are they over? Most of my team is in NY

Someone posted on fishbowl that full return to office in 2027. Does that mean remote workers would have to relocate to keep jobs? Or do you think just those hybrid will be required 5 days a week.

The flu usually takes 3–5 days to recover—but how can I manage a four-day in office while I’m still sick? Taking 4 days off doesn’t make sense.

https://youtube.com/shorts/380WruO_v_0?si=a5qgnV7re6-ZV6Pa

Wholesale Customer Service in the US for remote workers has started layoffs today.

Heard rumors that HR is attempting to come up with a system to ensure everyone is spending 8 hours in the office.

Anyone else can confirm this?

Until now it seems they screen for badging in the office. This of course completely leaves out all the evening / weekend calls and booting up vpn on the laptop to resolve issues (sometimes for several hours), not to mention when you need to be in the house for the occasional service but can definitely work from home very efficiently.

“What can I do to improve, boss? “ asks a remote employee.

“Well, I have nothing for you. Move to a hub and that should solve the comp issue.”

This is for non-PayPal folks, if you are reading threads please skip. It is AI generated based on today's discussion, the summary is for Journalists and Social Posters so we can spread the word in a unified way. We cannot change what the execs are doing but we can still spread the word and at least have some people be aware of what's being done to the worker:

===========
## PayPal rumor digest - April 20-21

Consolidating what is being repeated across threads:

• This does not look isolated to one org or one country. Reports are pointing to US, APAC, EMEA, Ireland, and possibly Spain. Main threads: @OP+1kpnme7ft, @OP+1kppctqsc, @OP+1kppjaw72
• The main warning sign seems to be the "Important Business Update" invite: @OP+1kpnme7ft
• Specific claims from that thread include an entire team of 40 being let go @a2+1kpnme7ft, US remote meetings @a5+1kpnme7ft, and US hit with severance of 10-26 weeks @d1+1kpnme7ft
• Locations / orgs mentioned include NA MTS @a6+1kppctqsc, North America + APAC @aa+1kppctqsc, Crypto in Guatemala @aq+1kppctqsc, and Spain office activity @dn+1kpnme7ft
• Ireland keeps coming up via linked reporting and local process discussion: @c6+1kppctqsc, @a8+1kpnme7ft, @a9+1kpnme7ft, @105+1kp93ywqj, plus consultation process comments @b6+1kpnme7ft and @b9+1kpnme7ft
• On numbers, there is no consensus. Estimates range from 25-300 @ak+1kprdja02 to 5000+ @aj+1kprdja02, so take all headcount claims with caution
• General sentiment is that this is another round in an ongoing pattern, not a surprise one-off: @OP+1kprh0pdk

Last week I formally sent an offer to HR and copied it to my L3. My offer is this, I will accept a 50% reduction in pay in exchange for permanent WFM. This is due to multiple family and personal issues. Should have an answer by Tuesday.

How are medical exceptions to work from home treated in regards to if there were a declared management surplus? There is a group of 25 or so US management employees where 5 or 6 of them are in this category (yes, this is still happening). Some of them feel this protects them due to "medical" but obvious thinking is the people who don't report to an office would be at the top of list when a surplus is declared. Could be legal implications? Thoughts?

Think before you use AI at hcsc. Dont help train an AI to take your job away. You dont need it! They are coming for any job Thats repetitive or low level at first. You think this huge move to remotely work is in your best interest? Think again. Use your head, ot AI.

I'd say they depends on how they were hired. If they were hired during covid as 100% remote, the salary they negotiated took into account the lack of a commute. Dell has changed that deal now. You don't think those folks have a right to feel a little pi---d? I negotiate/expect 20% higher salary to be in the office.

If they were hired onsite, and went remote during covid, they have nothing really to complain about, but Dell hired a ton of people full time remote during covid and has spent the last 2 years trying to sc--w them into quitting. That's a problem, and even the "get back in the office" types should be able to recognize that.

This, @av+1kpdrarz1.

No revelations yet, besides my expenses going up and feeling like they want to get rid of us. I haven't met new people, I haven't expanded collaboration beyond my usual circle (whom I communicate with online), and I most definitely haven't become more creative. I do focus less, and my productivity has fallen somewhat, so there's that.

I just got my Monday morning 'business update' meeting invite. Should I be worried....yikes. I'm a remote employee too.

Just saying.
The whole thing makes no sense.
Why come in at all.